'Prayer Of Columbus' by Walt Whitman
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IT was near the close of his indomitable and pious life--on his last voyage
when nearly 70 years of age--that Columbus, to save his two remaining ships
from foundering in the Caribbean Sea in a terrible storm, had to run them
ashore on the Island of Jamaica--where, laid up for a long and miserable
year--1503--he was taken very sick, had several relapses, his men revolted,
and death seem'd daily imminent; though he was eventually rescued, and sent
home to Spain to die, unrecognized, neglected and in want......It is only
ask'd, as preparation and atmosphere for the following lines, that the bare
authentic facts be recall'd and realized, and nothing contributed by the
fancy. See, the Antillean Island, with its florid skies and rich foliage
and scenery, the waves beating the solitary sands, and the hulls of the
ships in the distance. See, the figure of the great Admiral, walking the
beach, as a stage, in this sublimest tragedy--for what tragedy, what poem,
so piteous and majestic as the real scene?--and hear him uttering--as his
mystical and religious soul surely utter'd, the ideas following--perhaps,
in their equivalents, the very words.
A BATTER'D, wreck'd old man,
Thrown on this savage shore, far, far from home,
Pent by the sea, and dark rebellious brows, twelve dreary months,
Sore, stiff with many toils, sicken'd, and nigh to death,
I take my way along the island's edge,
Venting a heavy heart.
I am too full of woe!
Haply, I may not live another day;
I can not rest, O God--I can not eat or drink or sleep,
Till I put forth myself, my prayer, once more to Thee,10
Breathe, bathe myself once more in Thee--commune with Thee,
Report myself once more to Thee.
Thou knowest my years entire, my life,
(My long and crowded life of active work--not adoration merely;)
Thou knowest the prayers and vigils of my youth;
Thou knowest my manhood's solemn and visionary meditations;
Thou knowest how, before I commenced, I devoted all to come to Thee;
Thou knowest I have in age ratified all those vows, and strictly kept
them;
Thou knowest I have not once lost nor faith nor ecstasy in Thee;
(In shackles, prison'd, in disgrace, repining not,20
Accepting all from Thee--as duly come from Thee.)
All my emprises have been fill'd with Thee,
My speculations, plans, begun and carried on in thoughts of Thee,
Sailing the deep, or journeying the land for Thee;
Intentions, purports, aspirations mine--leaving results to Thee.
O I am sure they really come from Thee!
The urge, the ardor, the unconquerable will,
The potent, felt, interior command, stronger than words,
A message from the Heavens, whispering to me even in sleep,
These sped me on.30
By me, and these, the work so far accomplish'd (for what has been,
has been;)
By me Earth's elder, cloy'd and stifled lands, uncloy'd, unloos'd;
By me the hemispheres rounded and tied--the unknown to the known.
The end I know not--it is all in Thee;
Or small, or great, I know not--haply, what broad fields, what lands;
Haply, the brutish, measureless human undergrowth I know,
Transplanted there, may rise to stature, knowledge worthy Thee;
Haply the swords I know may there indeed be turn'd to reaping-tools;
Haply the lifeless cross I know--Europe's dead cross--may bud and
blossom there.
One effort more--my altar this bleak sand:40
That Thou, O God, my life hast lighted,
With ray of light, steady, ineffable, vouchsafed of Thee,
(Light rare, untellable--lighting the very light!
Beyond all signs, descriptions, languages!)
For that, O God--be it my latest word--here on my knees,
Old, poor, and paralyzed--I thank Thee.
My terminus near,
The clouds already closing in upon me,
The voyage balk'd--the course disputed, lost,
I yield my ships to Thee.50
Steersman unseen! henceforth the helms are Thine;
Take Thou command--(what to my petty skill Thy navigation?)
My hands, my limbs grow nerveless;
My brain feels rack'd, bewilder'd; Let the old timbers part--I will
not part!
I will cling fast to Thee, O God, though the waves buffet me;
Thee, Thee, at least, I know.
Is it the prophet's thought I speak, or am I raving?
What do I know of life? what of myself?
I know not even my own work, past or present;60
Dim, ever-shifting guesses of it spread before me,
Of newer, better worlds, their mighty parturition,
Mocking, perplexing me.
And these things I see suddenly--what mean they?
As if some miracle, some hand divine unseal'd my eyes,
Shadowy, vast shapes, smile through the air and sky,
And on the distant waves sail countless ships,
And anthems in new tongues I hear saluting me.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Walt Whitman's Prayer of Columbus: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Walt Whitman's "Prayer of Columbus" is a timeless piece of literature that has been studied and appreciated by generations of readers. This classic poem is an ode to the great explorer Christopher Columbus and his journey to the New World. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve into the structure, themes, and literary devices used by Whitman to convey his message in this iconic poem.
The Structure of the Poem
The "Prayer of Columbus" is a free verse poem composed of six stanzas, each containing four lines. The poem does not have a strict rhyme scheme or meter, but it is rhythmical in nature, with the repetition of certain phrases such as "O my brave soul!" and "O lands!").
The poem begins with an invocation to the "Lord of the Universe" and a plea for guidance, which sets the tone for the rest of the poem. Each stanza begins with the phrase "O my brave soul!" which is a call to action for the reader to be brave and take risks, just like Columbus did.
The last stanza is particularly powerful, as it brings the poem to a close with a hopeful message. The repetition of the phrase "O lands!" emphasizes Whitman's admiration for the beauty and potential of the New World.
Themes in the Poem
One of the central themes of the "Prayer of Columbus" is bravery. Whitman celebrates the courage of Columbus, who set out on a perilous journey into the unknown. He encourages his readers to be brave and take risks in their own lives.
Another theme is exploration. Columbus was an explorer who discovered new lands and opened up new possibilities. Whitman urges his readers to explore their own potential and to seek out new experiences.
The poem also touches on the themes of spirituality and faith. The invocation to the "Lord of the Universe" sets the tone for the poem and highlights the importance of faith in the journey of life.
Finally, the poem celebrates the beauty and potential of the New World. Whitman portrays the land as a place of infinite possibilities, where anything is possible and dreams can come true.
Literary Devices in the Poem
Whitman employs a variety of literary devices in the "Prayer of Columbus" to convey his message. One of the most prominent devices is repetition. The phrase "O my brave soul!" is repeated at the beginning of each stanza, emphasizing the importance of bravery.
Another device is alliteration. In the second stanza, Whitman writes, "The past! the infinite greatness of the past!" The repetition of the "p" sound creates a rhythmic effect and draws attention to the importance of history.
Whitman also uses imagery to paint a vivid picture of the New World. In the fourth stanza, he writes, "O lands! so rich, the rose and the grape are as fair as the lily and the nectarine." This image of the New World as a place of abundant beauty is both hopeful and inspiring.
Interpretation of the Poem
At its core, the "Prayer of Columbus" is a celebration of the human spirit. Whitman uses the story of Columbus to inspire his readers to be brave, explore their potential, and have faith in the journey of life.
The repetition of the phrase "O my brave soul!" is a call to action for the reader to be bold and take risks, just like Columbus did. The poem encourages us to embrace the unknown and to push beyond our limits.
The invocation to the "Lord of the Universe" highlights the importance of faith in the journey of life. Whitman recognizes that we are all part of a larger spiritual journey and that we must trust in a higher power to guide us.
Finally, the poem celebrates the beauty and potential of the New World. Whitman portrays the land as a place of infinite possibilities, where anything is possible and dreams can come true. This message is both hopeful and inspiring, urging us to embrace our own potential and to strive for greatness.
Conclusion
Walt Whitman's "Prayer of Columbus" is a timeless piece of literature that celebrates the human spirit and the power of exploration. Through repetition, imagery, and alliteration, Whitman inspires his readers to be brave, explore their potential, and have faith in the journey of life.
The poem is a celebration of the New World and the infinite possibilities that it represents. It is a call to action for us to push beyond our limits and to embrace the unknown. Ultimately, the "Prayer of Columbus" is a message of hope and inspiration, urging us to be brave and to strive for greatness.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Poetry Prayer of Columbus: A Masterpiece by Walt Whitman
Walt Whitman, one of the most celebrated poets of the 19th century, is known for his unique style of writing that revolutionized American poetry. His works are characterized by free verse, unconventional grammar, and a focus on the individual experience. One of his most famous poems, the Poetry Prayer of Columbus, is a masterpiece that captures the spirit of exploration and discovery.
The Poetry Prayer of Columbus was written in 1855, during a time when America was expanding westward and exploring new territories. The poem is a tribute to Christopher Columbus, the Italian explorer who discovered America in 1492. Whitman's poem is a prayer that celebrates the courage and determination of Columbus, and the spirit of adventure that drove him to explore the unknown.
The poem begins with the lines, "A vast similitude interlocks all, / All spheres, grown, ungrown, small, large, suns, moons, planets, / All distances of place however wide, / All distances of time, all inanimate forms, / All souls, all living bodies though they be ever so different, or in different worlds, / All gaseous, watery, vegetable, mineral processes, the fishes, the brutes, / All nations, colors, barbarisms, civilizations, languages, / All identities that have existed or may exist on this globe, or any globe, / This vast similitude spans them, and always has spann'd, and shall forever span them and compactly hold and enclose them."
These lines set the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a celebration of the interconnectedness of all things. Whitman sees the world as a vast, interconnected web, where everything is linked and nothing exists in isolation. This idea is central to his philosophy of life, and it is a recurring theme in his poetry.
The poem then moves on to Columbus, who is described as a "heroic captain" who set out to explore the unknown. Whitman praises Columbus for his courage and determination, and for his willingness to take risks in the pursuit of knowledge. He writes, "Thou, who sail'dst westward, hither across the sea, / Brought us our greatest joy, and we thy deeds rejoice, / Land of the pastoral plains, the grass-fields of the world! / Great captain, now retire into thyself, / And make a long-enduring record of thy cruise, / For fearful odds have safely pass'd thee, and now we / Would commune with thee, and ask thee of thy welfare and of thy adventures."
Whitman's admiration for Columbus is evident in these lines. He sees him as a hero who overcame great obstacles to achieve his goals. Columbus's voyage was not an easy one, and he faced many challenges along the way. But he persevered, and his discovery of America changed the course of history.
The poem then takes on a more spiritual tone, as Whitman reflects on the mysteries of the universe. He writes, "O thou transcendent, / Nameless, the fibre and the breath, / Light of the light, shedding forth universes, thou centre of them, / Thou mightier centre of the true, the good, the loving, / Thou moral, spiritual fountain—affection's source—thou reservoir, / O pensive soul of me—O thirst unsatisfied—waitest not there? / Waitest not haply for us somewhere there the Comrade perfect?"
These lines are a testament to Whitman's belief in a higher power that governs the universe. He sees this power as a source of light and love, and as the ultimate source of all that is good and true. Whitman's spirituality is not tied to any particular religion, but rather to a sense of wonder and awe at the mysteries of the universe.
The poem ends with a call to action, as Whitman urges his readers to follow in Columbus's footsteps and explore the unknown. He writes, "O we can wait no longer, / We too take ship, O soul, / Joyous we too launch out on trackless seas, / Fearless for unknown shores on waves of ecstasy to sail, / Amid the wafting winds, (thou pressing me to thee, I thee to me, O soul,) / Caroling free—singing our song of God, / Chanting our chant of pleasant exploration."
These lines are a powerful call to action, urging us to embrace the spirit of adventure and explore the unknown. Whitman sees exploration as a way to connect with the universe and to discover new truths about ourselves and the world around us. He believes that we are all connected, and that by exploring the unknown, we can discover new ways of being and new ways of understanding the world.
In conclusion, the Poetry Prayer of Columbus is a masterpiece that captures the spirit of exploration and discovery. Whitman's poem celebrates the interconnectedness of all things, and praises Columbus for his courage and determination. The poem is a testament to Whitman's belief in a higher power that governs the universe, and to his sense of wonder and awe at the mysteries of the world. The poem ends with a call to action, urging us to embrace the spirit of adventure and explore the unknown. Whitman's message is as relevant today as it was in 1855, and his poetry continues to inspire and uplift readers around the world.
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